With 51 articles to vote on, several of them likely to elicit strong reaction from residents, Mattapoisett is almost certainly going to have a two-night Town Meeting.

Town Meeting begins Monday, May 11 at 6:30 p.m. at the Old Rochester Regional High School auditorium and will continue on May 12.

Wetlands bylaw

Among the articles up for a vote is a controversial wetlands bylaw proposed by the Conservation Commission. Based on a bylaw used in Freetown, if passed, it would give the town more control over permits and regulation related to wetlands areas as well as changing the appeal process. Instead of appeals going to the Department of Environmental Protection, they would go to superior court.

A citizen petition is also on the agenda to make the passing of the Conservation Commission’s wetlands bylaw more difficult. The petition seeks to require a two-thirds majority vote for any new “rule, regulation, or power which would enlarge any authority of the Conservation Commission” beyond Massachusetts General Laws. Currently a majority vote is required.

Another article brought by citizen petition would amend the town’s bylaw so that amending, altering or repealing bylaws also requires a two-thirds majority vote at Town Meeting.

Zoning bylaw amendments

The Planning Board is backing three zoning bylaw amendments that deal with cluster subdivisions – a subdivision with a larger open space area in exchange for smaller housing lots. The articles would allow for duplexes, for the use of limited industrial lands as open space and for cluster subdivisions to be allowed in general business districts.

The amendments were proposed at fall Town Meeting, but residents, confused over the scope and sponsorship of the items, voted to indefinitely postpone the amendments.

Insurance, health care compensation for retirees

Selectmen are bringing a proposal to appropriate $343,736 towards the town’s liabilities for insurance and health care premiums for retired town employees. The town created a trust to deal with the $10.5 million liability in 2013 and has been setting aside funds through Town Meeting since then.

Capital improvements

The town will ask voters to appropriate $393,396 to fund capital needs in the town, most of that coming from the Capital Improvement Stabilization Fund. Among the items on the list are new helmets and safety equipment for the Fire Department, $15,000; a new truck with a plow for the Highway Department, $51,000; and the resurfacing of the Old Hammondtown School playground, $35,000.

The improvement list also prioritizes new pedestrian crossing signals on Route 6 at a cost of $32,000.

“If you’ve ever tried to walk across Route 6 in certain places you can see how dangerous it can be,” Town Administrator Mike Gagne said at a recent public forum.

Road improvements

This year the town is asking that $650,000 be appropriated for the fifth phase of the ongoing road improvement project. For 2015, the improvements will include Mechanic Street, sidewalk and curb upgrades and the replacement of the bridge and culvert at Tinkham Pond. The bridge has been closed since late fall.

If approved by Town Meeting voters, the funds will appear as a debt exclusion question on the election ballot and will require a “yes” vote to pass. The debt exclusion is a temporary tax increase in addition to Proposition 2 1/2 that will average out to $80,000 a year over 10 years. But with approximately $100,000 of retiring debt this year, the town will see $20,000 less in payments.

Community Preservation funds

The Community Preservation Committee is looking for a “yes” to help fund a number of projects in town with Community Preservation Funding. One item on the agenda is an $80,000 grant for preservation, restoration and rehabilitation of the Quaker Meeting House located on Route 6. The committee also requests $15,000 for engineering costs for the Mattapoisett Bike Path’s next phase from Mattapoisett Neck Road to Depot Street. The money would include plans to build a bridge across Eel Pond.

Funds are also wanted to rehabilitate the town’s historic wharves in the amount of $80,000.

The Town Meeting agenda also includes funds to create a reserve for the Water and Sewer Department, a right to farm bylaw and adjustment of salaries for elected officers.

The complete Town Meeting warrant is available here.